Date of closure: 5th September 2009
Address (for reference only):
Independent Club
Waterloo Road
Blackpool
FY4 2AA
The Blackpool Apollo closed in 2009 due to the usual mix of conditions that have led to the demise of many bingo clubs across the country. A once thriving club, its demise has been blamed on the economic recession, the smoking ban, and what has been described as “a lack of help from the government”, which we can take to mean, or hazard a guess that the bingo taxation rules are being referred to here.
Local people were understandably upset at its closure for several reasons. Politicians are perhaps unaware when passing legislation, although the ‘man’ (or person) in the street has a more acute perspective on the effects of closure. Locals pointed out the cultural value of bingo in Blackpool, which is on one level ‘historical artifact’, and on another, it is one of the symbols that has brought people to Blackpool for years. A stick of Blackpool Rock, the Mile, and fairgrounds and bingo, are what people expect from a visit to the seaside town. As the building has yet to be demolished, there is still the chance left for a reprieve, and we, like the locals who had been attending for years, have our fingers crossed.
By Gareth Whieldon (July 2010)
Other Lost Halls In The Area
The trademark Apollo Bingo signage sits on top of the roof of the old cinema. It’s quite a modern building, most auditoriums were built back from the road, with the entrance as a focal point, usually with either neon above the door, or perhaps the ‘tailfin’ structure. As can be seen it was not a huge venue, but in its day, in the heart of Blackpool, it must have been a ‘must visit’ bingo hall.
By Gareth Whieldon (September 2010)
If you have any photos from this lost hall, be it of its interior, the staff, special events, parties, customers and more; and you’d like to share them here, please contact us to arrange adding them to the site.
